N.W.A’s F*ck Tha Police has always been controversial, but it was recently at the center of a court case which could have resulted in a driver spending up to 93 days in jail.

The bizarre incident occurred in Pontiac, Michigan where a motorist blasted out the song while sitting at a gas station near another driver who was pulled over by an Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy. The officer wasn’t amused and ticketed James Webb for violating the city’s noise ordinance.

Fox 2 Detroit reports the deputy told Webb, “You got people standing out here and you’re playing f*uck the police cause I’m sitting right here. Right? I don’t care if it’s any other rap song, he’s dropping the F-bomb and cursing and swearing, nobody wants to hear that.”

Presumably sensing the ticket was bull, Webb refused to pay the fine and decided to opt for a jury trial. He was represented by attorney Nicholas Somberg and it took jurors just nine minutes to find Webb not guilty.

Interestingly, Somberg obtained video of the original traffic stop and this showed the officer “dropping F-bombs” with the first person he pulled over. This effectively shot down his argument that he was concerned about vulgar language.

The case is now attracting plenty of attention as it seems like an overreach by the courts and the sheriff’s department. As Somberg told the station, “It’s really sad how much money is spent on fighting something that was a loss from the beginning.” He went on to criticize the prosecutor for pursing the case and suggested the city likely spent thousands of dollar trying to get a conviction.

jury of your peers, all idiots. some people never grow beyond high school mentality.

Mike anonymous

I personally believe that the decision to let him go was the right call (not morally, but rather) in regards to the laws of freedom that make the US,.. ‘The US’. So I absolutely understand why he was not given jail time.

BUT in my opinion (, with freedom comes responsibility, and) Just because you CAN do something does not mean you SHOULD (, & most certainly does not make it right and/or ok).

You’re not smart enough to even know your own rights, hopefully you’re smart enough to tie your own shoes. The issue here is protected 1st amendment speech, what he did was not illegal in any way, it violated no ordinance or law. He could have turned the radio off and recited the song word for word, that’s not against the law either. Who’s the idiot?

Dude

Uh, police corruption is rampant and on this blatant (yet minor) example you’re going to say that the jury was made of idiots? The case never should’ve gone to court. Maybe the cop wasn’t a wanker but to be honest I don’t care. You don’t use tickets to try and protect your feelings.

“You offended me. You should go to jail for 93 days!” Ridiculous. SOME cops truly are jackasses. [And I should know. Two of my relatives are police officers. Both thick as planks.]

Thunderbolt

Tha cop needs a lesson.

Mill0048

Another side of this, I would think there would need to be proof or witness account of a noise ordinance violation. Much like speeding, it would seem difficult for a violation to stick for an offense that looked or sounded like it violated the law (“It looked like 5 miles over the limit” or “It sounded like 75 db”). In this litigious society, it imagine it could’ve been dismissed on those grounds as well.

Ben

An officer CAN say he observed you going over the speed limit and unless you have actual proof you weren’t, your butt is getting that ticket. A dashcam is always cheaper than a ticket and hiked up insurance cost.

Mill0048

LOL, I don’t get pulled over much I’m not speaking from experience. Don’t they usually they claim that by saying they were pacing you at that speed? Or by having some other soft-proof method? Regardless, the comparison may not be the effective, but my point is, how can they claim a noise ordinance violation exceeded legal limits with no point of comparison or proof?

Ben

I know from personal experience and lengthy conversations with LE, they actually don’t need to pace you or laser. Those methods are usually the most ideal, but an officer can use “expertise” in judging your speed and conclude you were in fact speeding.

As for the noise, I would imagine it is the same conditions. If an officer claims that your music was above an acceptable level, you’re likely getting a ticket. Think about it, when have you heard of officers pulling up to a house party, concert or event with a tactical decibel reader? It doesn’t happen. They use their judgement which is always leaned heavily upon in court. Witness statements are also used as somewhat a tie breaker in he said, she said.